Looking Back

On Sunday, January 13th, we kicked off our new Artful Living Series through a lively conversation with two internationally acclaimed visual artists, Makoto Fujimura and Bruce Herman at the new Union Coffeehouse in Dallas. We were engaged in a meaningful discussion on their unique experiences with culture care through visual arts, how their personal faith has specifically informed their journey, and a special Q&A session that hopefully encouraged you explore aspects in your own life. Photos Courtesy of Kelly Rucker.

On December 19th at the Foundry, Art House Dallas partnered with Walk the Light, Deep Ellum Outdoor Market, Reap Marketing, Traffick911, and CreateGate for one GIANT Christmas Soiree. The Dallas Family Band was there to entertain the masses with live music too. There was an Angel-tree of sorts with small gift-priced donations for the safe house Triumph House at Traffick911 (ranging from $3 to $30 for things like shampoo or pajamas)! Photos Courtesy of Nicholas Leitzinger.

Last Thursday, we celebrated our two-year anniversary, we are indeed growing up!. It was one of the first chilly nights of fall, but despite the cold drizzle outside, Vino 100 was full to the brim with wonderful friends of Art House. Intimate and cozy for conversations, the space was dimly lit, only brightened by the intermittent camera flash from our photo booth, which was perhaps the most fun aspect of the evening. We sipped on wine and munched on cheese, cupcakes, and cookies that were made by our very own Sarah Seay!

The month of October marks the Two Year Anniversary of Art House Dallas! We wouldn't be here without your continued support over the last two years- the help, the dedication and all of the wonderful friendships! We celebrated the past, present, what is still to come with friends -old and new- and met other creative individuals who are working for the common good. Photo Booth pictures are courtesy of Neva Everett.

There are multiple models when approaching this dynamic digital industry for published and aspiring authors. We were thankful to have published author and founder of BookShout, Jason Illian, to help us better understand the world of publishing for writers and those aspiring to be. He discussed the pros and cons, helped provide clarity into the current state of publishing, and gave you practical steps to take as a writer in order to get to the next level. Dinner was provided by Celebration Catering. Photos courtesy of Andrew Young.

Summer Colors, now in its fourth year, was an idea born out of passion for raising awareness about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; while also giving the Dallas community exposure to local up and coming artists. Jenny Grumbles, Loren Koziol, and Jill and Dupree Scovell founded Summer Colors in 2009 and have continued to grow the event over the past four years. Photos courtesy of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Fellow songwriters met for dinner and engaging conversation. After dinner, everyone shared songs they are working on, played songs everyone knew and encouraged each other to jump on harmonies, guitar, mandolin and vocals. Photos courtesy of Leigh Foith.

In Partnership with Life in Deep Ellum, Art House Dallas presented our Dinner with Friends: Visual Artist Panel featuring Kyle Steed, Courtney Miles, Scott Erickson, and Kristen Cochran. The featured speakers brought a diverse set of talents ranging from illustrating and curating to mixed-media painting. They discussed the evolution of their careers, processes, challenges, and disciplines. Dinner was provided by Rusty Taco and was sponsored by Hello Somebody. Photos courtesy of Leigh Foith.

We met for our fifth Art House Exchange of 2012 at St. John's Tavern in order to grow together as artists in community. We started the night with small group discussions and then came back together as one group to mingle and talk about our work and lives together. At the end of the night, one lucky patron won two free tickets to our Dinner With Friends: Visual Artist Panel in June. Photos courtesy of Nicholas Leitzinger.

Fellow songwriters met for dinner and engaging conversation. After dinner, everyone shared songs they are working on, played songs everyone knew and encouraged each other to jump on harmonies, guitar, mandolin and vocals.

We met for our third Art House Exchange of 2012 at St. John's Tavern in order to grow together as artists in community. We started the night with small group discussions and then came back together as one group to mingle and talk about our work and lives together. At the end of the night, one lucky patron won a free ticket to Catalyst Dallas. Photos courtesy of Andrew Young.

In an encouraging environment, over a dozen musicians met in small groups in order to explore their strengths and potential areas of growth as songwriters. Moderators Brent Lamb, Crystal Yates and Jayme Thompson helped participants hone their craft and develop their talents to a greater level of excellence. Photos courtesy of Andrew Young.

We met for our second Art House Exchange of 2012 at St. John's Tavern in order to grow together as artists in community. We started the night with small group discussions and then came back together as one group to mingle and talk about our work and lives together. Photos courtesy of Andrew Young.

As part of our mission to live life as a community, we met at St. John's Tavern for our monthly Art House Exchange, where we discussed our lives as artists and entrepreneurs together. As the evening began, we split into small groups as a way of fostering more intimate conversation. We later joined back together as one big family of friends. Photos courtesy of Andrew Young.

As a way of saying thanks for your support, encouragement and enthusiasm about Art House Dallas over the past year we thought it would be fun to have a night of Stories & Songs to gather friends together! 60 people enjoyed a living room style concert with Derek as he shared stories about his music, songs from all of his albums, and answered questions from the audience. Photos courtesy of Matt Knisely.

Jeremy Cowart joined us as he discussed Photography for the Common Good. He spoke about his vision in founding Help-Portrait, an international movement of photographers that help those in need by using their talents. He also discussed his work in Haiti after the earthquake last year with Voices of Haiti. Dinner was be provided along with a special Q&A determined by attendee submissions. Photos courtesy of Alisha Ippolito.

In October 2011, as we celebrated the one-year anniversary of Art House Dallas space, we came together to cultivate and further develop the community through the free exchange of ideas and fellowship. The Wine Therapist provided a beautiful and relaxing new backdrop to this month's gathering. Photos courtesy of Carolann Bonner.

Kelli Trontel and Vanessa Warren presented a social media lab to push and inspire entrepreneurs, church planters, musicians, and other creatives to define their brands via social media. Afterward was the monthly Art House Exchange, an avenue for collaboration, food, drink, and discussion. Photos courtesy of Joshua Wright.

Anyone who has explored the creative process understands the value of feedback. Exposing our “works in progress” to the critique of our peers certainly takes courage, but feedback can also take our creative endeavors from average to excellent. In an encouraging environment, over a dozen musicians met in small groups in order to explore their strengths and potential areas of growth.

How does your music become a commercially viable product? Is your music a hobby or a full-time vocation? Where do you want to go with your music? Michael Blanton of Be Music & Entertainment came from Nashville to share strategies that he has used in an effort to take the talent of an artist to the next level—from creative hobby to a full-time vocation. Photos courtesy of Lauren Rockett.

It is often difficult to find a sounding board for ideas, or simply to discuss artistic issues with like-minded people. We hope that the Art House Exchange will be a watering hole for many of you, both socially and spiritually. Art House Dallas will be defined more by the people involved than by the building in which we meet.

Common sense Marketing with Trey Bowles of Trivate Entertainment and Vanessa Warren Butterfly Sparks. This was an event for new songwriters with songs to share for the first time, along with experienced musicians heading off on tour, and was Art House Dallas's first "Dinner with Friends."

Art House Dallas kicked off with a 'Songs and Stories' celebration dinner and enjoyed a special house concert with Jillian Edwards, Joy Williams (of the Civil Wars) and local Woodrow Wilson High School musician, Nick Chatham. Photos courtesy of Mark Nicholas.

175 friends gathered from all over DFW and beyond to hear about our mission over lunch at Life in Deep Ellum. In addition to live performances by Sleeperstar and Sandra McCracken, we heard from Co-Founders Charlie Peacock and Andi Ashworth. Following the lunch was a panel of musicians (Joy Williams, Sandra McCracken, Jillian Edwards, Cary Pierce, Kate Miner) along industry experts (Joshua Jackson, Paste Magazine & Nate Yetton, Civil Wars Manager) who talked about the state of the music business followed by Q&A. Photos courtesy of Ann West.